Girl's path leads from
OxyContin to rehab
by Lenny Roberts

The assumption often expressed by both drug-using children and their parents is that it's somebody else's problem, and life-altering consequences or death happen only in other families.
When it does hit home, however, many parents still deny that their children used drugs despite evidence or witnesses that prove otherwise. Unfortunately, all too often, the abuser is not around to confirm that he or she was dependent on either street drugs or prescription medication.
OxyContin, a Schedule II controlled substance opiate derivative, is a strong narcotic similar to morphine, produced as a time-released medication. But authorities are finding that its misuse begins when the user sucks off the coating before ingesting the tablet, therefore getting all of the medication into the bloodstream at once. Other means of transfer to the body are by crushing the tablets and snorting the bitter powder or injecting it.
The Federal Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluations and research has strengthened the warnings and precautions sections in the labeling of the drug after receiving numerous reports of OxyContin diversion and abuse in several states. Some of these reported cases have been associated with serious consequences including death. While the FDA recognizes the drug as a safe and effective pain medication when properly prescribed and used as directed, it cautions that, if taken daily and suddenly stopped, it can result in physical dependence, a condition in which the body shows signs of narcotic withdrawal.
This is not the same thing as addiction, which represents a situation in which people obtain and take narcotics because of a psychological need, and not just to treat a legitimate painful condition. The agency further warns of dangerous interactions with other painkillers or alcohol.
Purdue Pharma, which manufactures OxyContin, defends its product by saying, "It is tragic that OxyContin, which provides such tremendous relief to millions of patients in pain, is also one of the many prescription medicines along with illegal drugs that abusers and addicts choose to abuse." It further states, "because of the presence of multiple drugs (in those who overdose), it is often impossible in these cases to say with confidence whether OxyContin or any specific drug caused or contributed to death. However, according to CNN reports, Purdue is hoping to reformulate the product to make it less susceptible to abuse and addiction.
OxyContin is reportedly the best-selling narcotic pain medication in the United States, with yearly sales in excess of $1 billion. The street value, per pill, can reach $50.
A local financial journalist told the OVN that his 20-year-old daughter's addiction has thus far cost him $50,000 to treat, and nearly cost her her life.
He said "Kim" was like any other teen, but never caused the family any real concerns until she began using OxyContin. In reality, she was a casual user of marijuana, cocaine and Ecstasy before graduating to OxyContin, known by users as "hillbilly heroin," "cottons," "O.C." or "killers."
"Three kids in this valley have died from it, and (Ojai Police Chief) Gary Pentis told me that his office is overwhelmed with drug arrests. This is not right for this valley," said Kim's father. "This stuff hides in dark places, and you just can't tell what our kids are doing."
Kim's problems began evident when she became lethargic, sleeping for two or three days at a time. In March, she went on her own to a local physician after recognizing, and more importantly admitting, that she had a problem. Her father said that after the local doctor prescribed morphine and other drugs to help ease her out of her condition, she was referred to a methadone clinic in Oxnard, where she was refused treatment and told that it was a place for heroin addicts.
After contacting the Betty Ford Center, her father was given the names of rehabilitation facilities in Southern California, but she decided on Passages in Loa, Utah, because it was a far-removed atmosphere away from influential friends.
"The forms were sent to her, and it was time to start telling the truth," her father said. "What came out of this was just amazing."
Kim admitted to smoking marijuana, and using cocaine and Ecstasy in the past, but her everyday drug was OxyContin. It wasn't until we moved here that she got into OxyContin. This is my beautiful 20-year-old daughter. I spent as much on getting her clean as I would have on a college education," after digging into his retirement funds.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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